Word is that a PPS 6-12 school has Christmas lights and a wreath over its entrance.
Has anyone seen this happen before? Separation of church and state? True, it is not a cross or nativity scene, but the association is with one particular religion.
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This blogger is more concerned about UPMC committed to giving $100 million to the Pittsburgh Promise (Today's PG A-1). Does this mean 'UPMC for Life' is the 'quid pro quo'here?
Broad/Gates/UPMC___Lord have Mercy!
Is there a cross as part of the display? Or a nativity scene? Or the word "Christmas"?
If not, then the lights and wreath aren't a Christmas display, but a holiday display.
If it was a decoration of a celebration of a different nationality, you would probably think it is cultural and insightful, but since it is the "majorities" celebration it shows biased and must be cause for questioned intentions.
Bah Humbug to 7:24. Deck the halls with balls of Holly. T'is the season
PPS employees have Highmark coverage,correct? Hmmmm? Don't remember seeing this $100 million commitment by UPMC in the News.
$100 million is not with out strings
attached. Get the money out of education and the 'students' will get their teachers back.
Wouldn't UPMC love to have PPS in it's network?
There is no "Separation of church and state" There is a freedom of religion where congress shall not establish a national religion. I do feel however, that since there so many religions in the country, decorations beyond snowmen and gingerbread cookies should not be put up.
8:43, it's boughs of holly, not balls.
8:59, not all employees have Highmark. Many have UPMC. Mr. Fondy and the board agreed not to go looking for other carriers. Mr. Tarka brought UPMC into the picture. This was not such a bad move. Until then, PPS had Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Keystone HMO only. We paid a higher premium than other districts in Allegheny County. The others belonged to a consortium and paid a much lower price for the same coverage.
It is also my understanding that retirees who have Highmark, pay their premiums to UPMC, who is the plan administrator.
6:43
Can you post the link to this story? I want to read it and I can't find it on PG website. Thank you!
It is actually not a newspaper story, just an observation that someone noted.
It would seem more welcoming to all students, staff and faculty to include some white/blue decorations as well as decorations that various cultures/groups associate with the holidays.
4:44pm- The link mentioning UPMC being committed to giving $100 million to The Pittsburgh Promise -
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/tech-news/2014/12/09/Google-lacks-philanthropic-profile-in-Pittsburgh/stories/201412070066
As a member of a non- Christian minority, a wreath and lights are part of a distinct religious holiday, no matter whether it's seems otherwise.
I'd at the least agree that they've both been associated with solstice since pre-Christian times...
Both lights and circular/green wreaths are symbols of the short days and the cycle/circle of the seasons.
However, there are even fewer pagans around, and the Christians did do a good job of hooking their holiday on to successful earlier traditions.
I believe that the lights were put up by a recent grad, in college, who helps out around the school in his free time.
Neither here nor there in the bigger picture, but at least an indicator of good will and civic mindedness.
It does actually matter to some people- more inclusiveness would be a better indicator of good will.
Where did it say that it didn't matter? All that post says is that a former student is actually DOING something at the school.
I'm sure the school would be delighted for other community volunteers to offer to spruce things up/decorate for national holidays, say, or the like.
8:13 questioner:
How would your 'more inclusiveness' manifest itself for all to see?
It would seem more welcoming to all students, staff and faculty to include some white/blue decorations as well as decorations that various cultures/groups associate with the holidays (ask students/staff/faculty for input).
As the Studnet in question who did the decorating, a the facility in question is quite drab due to a 70s renovation. It has much less class and character than the older buildings. We decided it would be nice to try and brighten the school up for the winter season. We were extra careful to make none of the decorations specific to anything other than the winter season. The actual theme of it all is "Let it Snow". There are decorations for various holidays inside the building. A wreath was chosen because it was simply the easiest to make, the original plan called for a large snowflake. However with time and effort a wreath had proven to be an easier task to undertake.
t did seem that the decorations were an attempt to warm up this unfortunate building... and it is good to know that various holidays are represented inside, it is just that people passing by are thinking "oh, Christmas decorations."
I understand that misconception. I regret that anyone was offended by it. It was in no way our intention. However if something like this does bother people. I think a much better place to start is the school districts 200,000 dollar sponsorship of the WPXI Holiday Parade.
7:29
A large snowflake ( frozen fractal )would have captured the students but the wreath and lights celebrate the season just fine. Thank you!
7:55,
Please don't regret that someone was offended by the holiday display.
There is a class of people in this country who are always on the alert for something to be offended by. You cannot please those people. It is best to ignore them.
I'm a PPS teacher. Over the years I've had a few students who told me they were offended by the American flag in my room (because it stood for oppression, or whatever).
Should I remove the flag to avoid offending them? Or should I just ignore them?
Oh, and one more thing. For those that connect a wreath to a religion, note that year numbering system that the PPS uses (this is 2014) is also connected to a religion. Should the PPS adopt a new year numbering system?
Most people associate red and green lights and wreaths with a particular religious holiday; that is not the case with the calendar system.
Looked like white lights?
I can't believe there is a big bickering about a holiday yet PPS have students even can't spell CHRISTMAS oh was the decorations provided by Gates Foundation
When I saw the lights, I liked it. And, I generally hate things such as the Ten Commandments on public buildings.
The 'wreath' is really an Obama "O," in my humble opinion.
Thanks to J.H.
Shame that we are in an era when we celebrate and legitimize the grotesque and vilify the good as being misappropriated. I am an Obama teacher and want to thank the young man for all of his hard work. It occurs to me that if we had more manger scenes and menorahs, perhaps we'd have a lot less hated and misunderstanding. But sadly, that is not politically correct in this day and age. Look how far we have come. Look how far we have devolved.
Yes, Gates, Roosevelt and Lane are the worst things that ever happened to Pittsburgh Public Schools. Aside from their politically driven mis-steps, their willingness to lend credence to the vocal minority so as not to appear progressive has been even worse.
Merry Christmas to all readers.
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